FEMALE CIRCUMCISION AMONG YAKAN IN BASILAN, PHILIPPINES

Author: Sittinurussamsi A. Calsalin Date: May 2008

Female circumcision has been the source of enormous and bitter international controversy. It is always
been viewed as a harmful and devastating procedure done on women making it a public health concern in
several countries. This procedure in other nations had adverse health effects. In the Philippines, female
circumcision is also being carried out by the Yakan Muslim tribe of Basilan. However, there had been no
documented study describing the process among Yakan in Basilan. Thus, it is important to document this
practice to understand any possible implications to the health of Yakan female that submits to such
practice. A qualitative study was done to explore, and document this socio-cultural beliefs and practices of
female circumcision among the Yakan tribe of Basilan, Philippines. Forty-three respondents composed of
three Kah Dayang (Person performing female circumcision), five religious leaders, five girls who were to
undergo the practice, five male respondents and twenty-five females who have already underwent female
circumcision were included in the study. Observational approach, one on one in-depth interview and focus
group discussion were utilized in this study. Descriptive analysis of the results was employed. Results
showed that all respondents have common beliefs regarding female circumcision. Female circumcisions
are done for cleanliness reason, dignity, honor and religious obligation. They also believe that this practice
should be done because it is stated in the hadith (words of Mohammad S.A.W), written in one of the ayat
(page) of the Holy Qur-an. Female circumcision for them is obligatory since it is a sunnah (the way the
prophet lived) to practice it with the Holy Qur-an as their basis. In performing female circumcision, the
Yakan tribe practiced the scraping technique using a blunt knife. This technique involves the scraping the
labia majora until it becomes erythematous but not to bleed; A tawal (whispered prayer) is uttered to the
child which marks the end of the practice. Results also showed that female who underwent circumcision
showed no ill effect on the mental health of the respondents. In fact the practice was advantageous since
this people believe that being circumcised gave them dignity and a worthwhile meaning in life. With
regards to physical health, the dull tolerable pain which lasted for about an hour as described by the 5
years old girls respondents were one of its consequences. The erythematous labia majora however may
lead to further vulvar inflammation and subsequent infection. The used of unsterilized unpointed knife
could also imposed susceptibility to tetanus. All these however were not reported by the respondents.
Although these immediate inflammatory consequences were confirmed, respondents were still in favor to
endorse the practice mainly because of their religious belief. They believe that the female circumcision is
written in the Holy Qur-an and is obligatory thus all Yakan Muslim girls are expected to respect and follow
it.